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Kelly Clarkson was stunned earlier this week after being called “small-minded” by an eliminated contestant from "The Voice." The dig was prompted because Clarkson compared the aspiring gay singer to two other gay artists.

“I am a singer songwriter who happens to be gay,” Molly Stevens, the eliminated contestant, said in a since-deleted Instagram post.

Stevens expressed her distaste about Clarkson comparing her to the Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge following the battle rounds. Stevens called it a “labeling trap” among other terms.

She said in the post, “While I’m extremely honored to be in that category of talent I do believe that comment did us all a disservice and only threw us into a labeling trap. It felt small minded to me and exactly what I feel we need to bring attention to the world.”

But Clarkson defended her thinking in a subsequent tweet, saying how bummed out this made her and noting that Stevens failed to mention that she also mentioned Patty Griffin, a straight artist.

“I need everyone 2 hear me & hear ALL OF THE WORDS I SAY. I compared Molly to Melissa Etheridge, Patty Griffin (a name that was left out conveniently), & the Indigo Girls purely because of the rasp in her voice & that she’s an amazing storyteller.”

Wow. This really bums me out. I need everyone 2 hear me & hear ALL OF THE WORDS I SAY. I compared Molly to Melissa Etheridge, Patty Griffin (a name that was left out conveniently), & the Indigo Girls purely because of the rasp in her voice & that she’s an amazing storyteller. https://t.co/Ci5fqDKzA3

“I sincerely apologize for any hurt I may have caused with my words. This was not my intention at all,” she tweeted. “For the people who know me well, you know my heart well too. I strive to live in truth and light. @kelly_clarkson I truly apologize for thinking differently. I look up to you.”

I sincerely apologize for any hurt I may have caused with my words. This was not my intention at all. For the people who know me well, you know my heart well too. I strive to live in truth and light. @kelly_clarkson I truly apologize for thinking differently. I look up to you.